Thread: Now I know why I stopped using a DE

What I like about my Gillette fat boy is how you can loosen the tightness on the blade.
For when shaving off the really long hairs on the face.
Then tighten it for the closer shave.
But well do have to be honest the vintage blades are far superior stuff
compared to what's out now.
The modern razor blades are made with a steel and aluminum mix. Which makes
them impossible to get a great edge.
Multi blade razors get around this problem by simply have a lot of blades pulling the hairs out. which can be really bad for ones skin.

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, no qualms about using a DE especially when traveling as they are a lot less hassle than a straight. If you have good technique with both types of razors the results from each should be more than satisfactory. I try to never insult the shave wizards though.

Bob

I have one DE that I use for cleaning up the back of my neck once week. I have never traveled with it because it would be more hassle for me than taking a stropped straight. The DE has to be taken apart, put back together, then taken apart again. No thanks, and I have been using straights exclusively for shaves for so long I can take it slow, or get a quickie shave when needed. Also, one razor blade will last me a long time, and I would have to chuck the blade for traveling.

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

I have one DE that I use for cleaning up the back of my neck once week. I have never traveled with it because it would be more hassle for me than taking a stropped straight. The DE has to be taken apart, put back together, then taken apart again. No thanks, and I have been using straights exclusively for shaves for so long I can take it slow, or get a quickie shave when needed. Also, one razor blade will last me a long time, and I would have to chuck the blade for traveling.

Each to their own but a single stropped straight won't last me 2 weeks to a month of travel and I don't want to carry a strop and possibly a barbers hone. The only time I take a DE apart is to change the blades about every 5 days or so and the used ones go into an old metal Gillette razor safe and the used blades get disposed of when I get home. I am not wed to straights because they give a superior shave to a DE for me, they are about equal in that department, again for me. I just enjoy the process of shaving with a straight more. To really add insult to injury, when I fly I use cheap 1 buck disposable head twin blade razors because I want nothing of value in my checked bags. Like has been said it is all good and whatever works for you.

Bob

Iamst8ght, do you know what that razor is called? i just bought the same one i think for £3 at a market.

Made it to Hawaii 2 days ago, got my beloved MUTTER (German razor I named after my German wife's oma. Terribly precise and efficient, but don't you dare get sloppy or try to rush her.....) in the mail yesterday, and put the traveling DE on the shelf. It was fun playing with the DE, and I still may dabble with the neat old things once in awhile. The old gillette open comb travel razor is a good close shave if you are careful, but will cut the crap out of you if the angle isn't right-very unforgiving. After shaving with straight for 3 months now, i've only cut my ear with the tip of the straight (through a lather haze) and never a face cut, though a bit raw for the first little while learning to hone/strop. It seems ironic that "safety razor" would be used for a DE. Maybe that term came into vogue during WW2 when there were lots of joes crammed around sinks in the morning? I see where it may apply there.......

Originally Posted by bombay

Iamst8ght, do you know what that razor is called? i just bought the same one i think for £3 at a market.

Just saw this. It is a Gillette Tech from the 70's. It came from Canada, and, I believe, is all nickel. Pretty nice little razor.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Thanks for the info there. I've got to admit, I'm quite ignorant about DE's. I use my SS like your average Joe would use a Mach3; I believe the term that has been used before is "like a Zamboni."

There is the problem. DEs and SEs are not at all like carts. They require technique that must be practiced. You must use no pressure when using them. At the correct angle for the head of the razor you are using, the blade should glide over the skin just like a straight. Straight users who have no experience with anything but carts, often assume that DEs and SEs are the same thing with one blade. This is totally incorrect. A DE or SE in an experienced users hands will yield as good a shave as any straight.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

Well all my Str8s are in Gs's hands. So I have to fall back on what I have. I was shaving with my NM Schick 66, but for some reason last night my hand was guided by the dark side to my 1940s SS loaded with a fresh Feather.

This morning's shave nearly needed a transfusion. My neck looks like it went 10 rounds with a Mike Tyson Cheese grater. My face feels like someone used molecular acid on it and it has more hot spots than the sun.

The cold water splash at the end felt like fire and the alum was no better.

Can't wait for my str8s to get back here.

Your first mistake was using a feather. Some swear by them, but others swear at them. I'm in the second camp...they roast my skin.

Less pressure, better angles.


Mick

Originally Posted by Suile

What I like about my Gillette fat boy is how you can loosen the tightness on the blade.
For when shaving off the really long hairs on the face.
Then tighten it for the closer shave.
But well do have to be honest the vintage blades are far superior stuff
compared to what's out now.
The modern razor blades are made with a steel and aluminum mix. Which makes
them impossible to get a great edge.
Multi blade razors get around this problem by simply have a lot of blades pulling the hairs out. which can be really bad for ones skin.

Aluminum and Steel mix? My right eyebrow is raised.